Meeting Reid’s eyes, Everly stroked Zane’s golden hair as Zane nuzzled deeper into her breast. “Will you tell me a little more about yourselves?”
“Of course, my love,” Reid replied.
That night, Reid cradled her against his chest, as she leaned back, seated between his long legs on the couch. On the other end, Zane held her feet across his lap lazily stroking her legs as Reid answered all her questions. Like her, they grew up utterly isolated from society. Their father, a deranged sounding man, was a criminal and a man who didn’t take kindly of any kind of government involvement in his life. Hunting, farming, and trapping, Reid explained to her how they were often left to fend for themselves while their father would go away for long periods of time. Growing up with no neighbors, no family, the brothers only had each other in those woods. Zane stroked her feet softly as she cried, while Reid recounted the winter they ran out of food and desperately walked until they found the main highway.
Reid’s hands cupped her stomach tightly as he told her how they were eventually picked up and taken to the police. They became wards of the Crown and were eventually separated. Neither one of them did well separated. Fights, tantrums, and a few juvenile arrests finally made someone notice that the two brothers needed each other. Four years, they made it four years being passed around to different care facilities until they were eventually old enough to join the military. Everly felt her heartbeat finally temper as he recounted the happier yet thrillingly dangerous times they experienced in the military as paratroopers. She could feel Reid’s steady heartbeat against her back, and his relaxed hands cupping her stomach and knew he, too, was relieved to be on a lighter subject.
The dying firelight cast a low glow across the couch, partially illuminating Zane’s face. He had not said anything this whole time. The heavy toll the past brought up was too much. When Reid’s words finally came to a close, there were only five beats of silence before Zane turned to her with a dark hooded look. She didn’t startle when he grabbed the hem of her pants, yanking them and her underwear down in one vicious pull. She didn’t fight as Reid pulled off her sweater and unclasped her bra. She simply complied as she felt Zane grab her knees and pull her down the couch until she was flat on her back, naked for them.
She knew what they wanted, she knew what they needed, and she knew what they would take.
Chapter 13
It was happening, it was actually happening.
Little by little, her defenses were falling, and she was softening in their arms. Zane wanted to shout with joy, to punch the air with unbridled enthusiasm, to just fall to his knees and howl at the moon. Instead, he just pulled the sleeping woman closer, watching her nuzzle deeper into the warmth of his bare chest. Letting his hand rub her back soothingly, Zane turned his head to look out the bright windows. Reid had left the bed an hour ago, leaving Zane to his customary morning time with Everly. Zane couldn’t help the smile that spread across his lips, she was perfect. Just like he knew it would, it was starting to work between the three of them. The fucked-up cult she grew up in opened her mind to the concept of both of them, it allowed her to understand what they needed. When they reached for her, the resistance she put up was based on her pride alone, not repulsion. On some deeper level, she understood them, even if she wasn’t prepared to admit that.
Placing tiny kisses on the bit of flesh that peaked out from her pajamas Zane watched her face for signs of waking. Putting his chin on top of her head, Zane absently let himself focus on the soft pressure of her breasts pressing into him with each gentle breath, as his thoughts recounted last night.
Reid’s account of their past hardly scratched the surface of the hell they endured as kids. The beatings, the isolation, the hunger— it was too soon to go into the depths of those gritty details. That trauma left long indelible scars, and those scars, had consequences or rather conditions that had to meet. They tried living apart, they tried having separate normal relationships, but it was impossible. How do you explain to someone that you need your sibling in your everyday life like a ship needs an anchor? That without them you felt lost and aimless.
Back in that run-down shack, Reid was everything to Zane. Reid was a father figure that patiently taught him how to tie his shoes, as well as the best friend that would stare up at the clouds with him and dream of the world beyond. That winter when their food ran out, and there was nothing to hunt, Reid was the one who made the decision to leave, he was the one who practically carried Zane down the mountain when he got too cold to move. Pressing his nose into the soft black curls, Zane smiled when he recalled him and Reid meeting girls their age for the first time. Everything they learned, fought, and conquered they did together.
The idea of sharing a woman had always been a running joke really. A grim hollow laugh that always followed after commiserating over one of their tried but failed relationships. Manifesting into something deeper, the joke somehow evolved into a fantasy, a hopeful dream they figured would never happen. The island cabin was just the foundation for their shared dream. Because Zane couldn’t stop thinking about it. Because what if their crazy dream came true, what if they found someone that would understand them? Shouldn’t they have the perfect home prepared as well?
A small grunt vibrated on his chest, looking down he watched as Everly slowly opened her eyes.
“Zane,” she whispered, not at all surprised by his proximity just acknowledging his presence.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he gave her a wide smile as he let her sit back and stretch. “Do you want to take a shower?”
She gave him a suspicious look. Laughing Zane rolled out of bed and stretched as well, not missing her widening gaze at his nudity. Her shy sexual responses made his blood roar. Kneeling onto the bed, he slid his arms underneath her. Ignoring her surprised yelp of protest, he carried her into the bathroom. Setting her down in front of the shower, Zane began unbuttoning her long shirt.
Her hands wrapped around his wrists stopping him. Looking up at him she gave him a tired smile. “Please Zane, I’m really tired, I know I just woke up but I’m so sore and…”
“Ssshh baby, don’t worry,” her exhausted plea made his heart tighten. Pulling her close he hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head until he felt her body relax. They were rough last night, maybe too rough. Guilty, Zane thought of her tired, spent body sagging like a doll in Reid’s arms as he carried her to bed last night. The dredged memories of their father’s abandonment and torturous childhood took a high toll. The anger, the shame, the hurt, all of it dissipated when Everly opened her arms to him. She was his cure.
Pulling her back he met her large gaze. “Just a shower, I promise.”
Biting her lip, Zane could feel her skin heat under his hands as she looked pointedly down between them and backed up with a wary skepticism.
Laughing he turned her into the shower after pushing off her shirt. “Just ignore my raging hard-on, sweetheart, we’re just going to get cleaned up.”
“Is it painful?” She asked over her shoulder.
Very much so, he thought. Grabbing the loofah, he poured her soap onto the fluffy material. “Not so much painful, rather…uncomfortable,” he lied.
“Mmm,” she half acknowledged as he began to wash her. Closing her eyes, she leaned into him letting him fully take over.
His dick felt like iron.
“Did you want me to wash you?” She whispered, the shyness in her eyes plain to see as she avoided his gaze. “Or wash your hair maybe?”
His breathing became deeper, he could feel his chest expanding and compressing making the gigantic shower feel just that much smaller. How would it go if he gave in? Would he sit down on the built-in bench to let her stand between his legs? Would he simply watch as her breasts swayed and bounced inches away or would he devour them and listen to her cries as she tried to continue? He would most certainly grab her by the hips and have her ride him to completion.
“Zane?” She questioned nervously, obviously catc
hing the dark look that must have passed his face.
Grabbing his own shampoo bottle, he made quick, violent work of his hair and body before grabbing her hand to pull her out of the shower behind him. Whipping the towel from the nearby rack, he began to hurriedly dry her off.
The feeling of her warm, wet hands cupping either side of his face stopped him. Hair dripping and hanging partially in his face, Zane stared back at her silent worried expression. The scorching kiss was inevitable because he was a pathetic, weak man.
Moaning into his mouth, Zane’s blood roared when he felt Everly’s hands fist into his hair pressing him closer for more. Like the weak-willed bastard he was, Zane hoisted her damp body up against his until her legs wrapped around his waist.
Pulling from his lips, Zane could feel her hands tremble. “How are you doing this to me?” She cried, the desire in her eyes glowing just as brightly as his.
Fuck it, he growled not sure if he said it aloud or not. Gripping her round ass tighter, he widened his stance. He was going to fuck her against this Goddamn wall right here, and now, he was just going to make sure he somehow did it gently.
“Zane,” the bark of command was like a bucket of ice.
The tone was a cocktail of emotions—and threats. With a groan, Zane let his forehead rest against her collarbone as he turned one eye towards his brother standing in the bathroom doorway.
The death glare Reid was giving him was practically immortal.
“She needs to rest. Or have you forgotten she is pregnant?” His tone was clipped.
Zane tensed. Grinding his teeth, Zane had to call on a higher power to rein in the anger Reid ignited. Like he would forget that, fucking asshole. Though when he lowered Everly back to standing, he couldn’t help but feel guilty at the whisper of tired relief he detected in her eyes.
Holding out a fresh towel for her, Reid urged her to step into it. “Come here, my love, let’s get you dressed and back in bed. I planned on serving you breakfast in bed this morning.”
Zane didn’t miss his brother’s sharp look as he escorted Everly to her closet, more importantly, he didn’t miss Everly’s bright smile at Reid’s offer. Walking to his own closet on the other side of the bathroom, Zane snatched out some clothes. He was angry at himself for giving into his lust, after he told her he wouldn’t. He was livid at Reid’s accusation that he wasn’t being careful with her.
Ripping the shirt over his head, Zane nearly laughed. If it wasn’t for him, Reid wouldn’t even have the pleasure of Everly’s radiant smile. Zane remembered the day clearly when he found out their precious angel’s dark secrets. His obsession with her had been growing with each passing day at the bank, to the point he found himself breaking into and standing in her empty apartment one day during his break. Something called to him about her, like a dark siren’s call, it begged him to learn more about the young woman. Reading her journal and personal files felt like a sign from every God known to man. Perfect—she was fucking perfect.
Abducting her wasn’t something they necessarily planned to do, but their time in Golden Creek was running out, and their hearts became ensnared by those wide brown eyes, the need to act was paramount. Besides what option did they have? They couldn’t simply let her slip through their fingers.
He’d rather die.
Walking back into the bedroom, Zane watched Everly give Reid a grateful smile as he sat the heavily laden tray over her lap. Lances of pain that sliced through him as he watched Reid kiss her was jarring. Did her eyes ever haze over with desire like that when she kissed him? The fact that Zane couldn’t give a clear answer pissed him off.
No, clenching his fist he forced the toxic thought from his head. She was theirs. Both of theirs. She knew what they needed. She wouldn’t just exclude him, she wouldn’t just leave him out in the cold alone.
Chapter 14
Outside the office windows, the trees shook and swayed at the force of the icy winds. Inside in the warmth and comfort, Reid sat at the corner of the couch with one arm rested on the rolled tufted arm of the sofa. Holding the laptop in his lap, he watched with veiled interest as Everly struggled to pick out some clothes. To even get her to sit down with him and get this far was a considerable effort. Mentally he smiled at her shocked face that morning when he threatened to simply let Zane choose all her clothing, having no doubt his brother would only choose a wide assortment of barely there negligees.
Resting his cheek on his fist which was propped on the arm of the sofa, Reid let his eyes wander over her sweet-smelling form as she wrestled with the decision between two maternity websites. Her long curly black hair was to his pleasure down again. As her teacher, all he ever longed to do was unleash those wild curls from their restricting bun she made daily. Running his other hand through her hair down her back, he reveled in the fantasy come true. With them, she never wore her hair up, either for the fact of practicality or the fact she knew one of them would take it back down. Now that she was here, Reid couldn’t stand to see it up, he liked it loose and free for his hands to roam through whenever she was near. He wanted to watch those glossy curls sway as she walked or to bounce chaotically as she rode him…
“There,” Everly sat back with a satisfied sigh. “I think that is enough.”
Forcing himself to focus, Reid swiveled the laptop on his lap, thankfully concealing his hardened dick.
“You selected only twelve things,” the confusion in his voice evident.
Crossing her arms with a huff, Everly rolled her eyes and gave him a stony look. The expression was completely new, Reid had to restrain himself from smiling. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was relaxing more and more around them, letting new parts of herself come to light. Her frustration was one he found intoxicatingly cute.
“Yes, and it’s a lot as it is, it’s not as if I will have anywhere to go,” she gestured one hand in an open arc to her surroundings.
Keeping his eyes half-lidded and expressionless, he weighed her crisp tone and accusing glance. They were not out of the woods yet, evidently there was still more work, more convincing they needed to do. Lifting his free hand, he brushed his fingertips along the side of her cheek, enjoying the small shudder she emitted at his touch.
“You will not be forced to stay here like this forever,” he spoke gently. “We will go other places.”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Like where?”
Smiling he straightened up in his seat and placed the laptop on her lap. Watching her brow furrow in confusion he slid his hands underneath her until he had the leverage to lift her easily onto his lap. Now with her back against the rolled armrest of the couch and the laptop on top of her lap, Reid leaned back into the couch keeping her firmly seated on top of him. Enjoying the soft pressure of her ass wiggling on his lap until she found a comfortable spot, Reid continued.
“We can go anywhere you want to go, Everly,” idly he let his hand cup her knee. “We can go into the town near here, although admittedly there isn’t much to do there in the winter. We can go stay in our condo in Toronto, or…”
“Reid,” the exasperated whine of his name cut him off. “This isn’t what I necessarily pictured for myself. I always imagined myself having a normal life. I don’t want to live cloistered away in the forgotten parts of the world,” turning in his lap she faced him directly, one of her hands clutching at his shirt absently as she tried earnestly to convey herself. “I want what other people have, freedom to come and go amongst the hustle and bustle of society as they please.”
Those words, those were the same words he used to say to himself growing up in the isolated wilderness. No one on this earth could understand those words better than he could. The quick pang of guilt shot through Reid uncomfortably, an errant feeling he made sure to push away. No, he was not like their bastard father, he had no intentions of trapping the woman he loved in utter terrifying isolation, forcing her to live by barbaric means. Taking her, as cruel as it may have been, was their only option, convincing h
er was their ultimate mission.
He had to make her see that she could and would have all her dreams if she gave them a chance. “Everly my love, you can have that,” he tried gently, “with us.”
“Only after I accept the fact that I cannot leave you, right?!”
“Yes, dammit,” he bit back, immediately regretting it. The bold spark she had in her eyes moment ago shuttered at his rough tone. Squeezing his hand at her hip, Reid gave her a penitent look. Silently, he looked out the window, he needed to calm down, he was only going to scare her way if he kept reacting to her baiting. “On your laptop, I saw a picture you drew. The picture was of a house by some water with you sitting in the garden holding a baby.”
Naturally, when he saw the image, Reid assumed it was of her and her baby, a depiction of a future she wanted. He couldn’t hide the confusion from his tone. Was he wrong in that? The immense joy when he found that was indescribable, it was another piece of her that made her so perfect for them.
Back to Black: A captive ménage romance Page 16
